Corberán apologises for Valencia's derby antics as tempers flare at Mestalla
Valencia boss Carlos Corberán offered a public apology after the heated derby victory over Levante, where post-match celebrations sparked controversy.
Valencia boss shows class amid derby day drama, apologising for his team’s controversial celebrations after securing a vital three points against local rivals Levante.
Derby day tensions boil over
It was all going swimmingly for Valencia until the full-time whistle, when emotions got the better of some players. The derby victory was marred by a post-match kerfuffle involving defender Cömert, who grabbed a corner flag to wave a Valencia shirt provocatively towards the away supporters.
Corberán, ever the gentleman, quickly moved to defuse the situation in his post-match comments: “I ask for apologies on behalf of Valencia,” he stated, acknowledging the heightened emotions that come with derby matches sometimes lead to poor decisions.
The gaffer wasn’t having any of it, making it clear that respect should always be maintained regardless of the fixture’s intensity. A proper class act, that bloke.
Victory comes at crucial time
This win couldn’t have come at a better time for Los Che, who had been going through a right barney in recent weeks with disappointing results in both La Liga and Copa del Rey.
Corberán was clearly chuffed with his team’s performance, particularly highlighting:
- A strong start to the match
- Improved second-half tactics
- Finding space behind Levante’s midfield
- Ramazani’s impact after the break
The victory gives Valencia some much-needed breathing space in the table, with Corberán emphasizing how vital these three points were for the club’s position.
Selection headaches
The Valencia boss had to deal with a proper selection nightmare, with several key players missing:
- Thierry and Danjuma were left out as precautionary measures
- Diego López was a last-minute withdrawal after a knee twist
- The defense had to be reshuffled with Núñez filling in at full-back
Despite these challenges, Corberán praised his makeshift backline, saying all three central defenders performed admirably under the circumstances.
Pepelu faces the music
Former Levante player Pepelu received a predictably hostile reception from the away fans. Corberán acknowledged the situation was always going to be tense for the midfielder returning to face his old club, but suggested such experiences would ultimately help him develop as a player.
For Valencia, this derby triumph represents more than just local bragging rights - it’s potentially a turning point after a difficult run. As they say down the East End, they needed those points like a hole in the head!